Emma Raducanu makes Andy Murray ‘bad blood’ admission after Wimbledon withdrawal

Pictured: Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray.
Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray.

Emma Raducanu has revealed she feared “bad blood” with Andy Murray following her controversial withdrawal from their mixed doubles partnership at Wimbledon.

In what was Murray’s final Grand Slam event, the two stars – the only British players to win Grand Slam singles titles this century – were set to pair up for mixed doubles action at SW19.

However, Raducanu then withdrew from the event the morning of their match to prioritise her singles campaign – effectively ending Murray’s Grand Slam career.

Murray is in Melbourne for the Australian Open as Novak Djokovic’s coach, while Raducanu is now in the third round of the women’s singles event after beating Amanda Anisimova on Thursday.

Asked about her relationship with Murray in her press conference, the 22-year-old admitted she had been keen to clear the air with her compatriot in the aftermath of the controversy.

She said: “Afterwards I sent him a long message, basically: ‘If I caused any trouble I guess at Wimbledon, that’s definitely the last thing I want.’

“He’s someone that I’ve grown up looking up to and I don’t want any bad blood or harsh feelings with him.

“I sent him a long message and he took it really well and responded saying he was disappointed but he understood. We’re fine now.

“We walk past each other and say ‘hello’, ‘well done’. It’s obviously really cool seeing him with Novak [Djokovic] here as well. Two great champions and they’re just together, it’s pretty awesome.”

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Reaction to Raducanu’s withdrawal was varied, with many backing her decision to prioritise her upcoming singles clash versus Lulu Sun, which she would ultimately lose in three sets.

However, some were critical of Raducanu, and Judy Murray was forced to explain a “sarcastic” tweet made about the situation.

Speaking in Melbourne, the 22-year-old revealed she had been trying to “learn” from the controversy as she moved forward.

“Whether or not I can go back and turn back time and do things differently, that’s in the past. All I can do is kind of evaluate that and learn going forwards,” added Raducanu.

“And I wanted to take the initiative, because growing up, he was one of my idols, and he still is, with everything he’s achieved in the game, coming from the UK and the same system and everything.

“He’s someone I respect a lot, and I just didn’t want any negative tension in the air, more than anything, because I’m going to see him around.

“I just didn’t want that. It didn’t feel right, so I texted him and he replied, and it was like a really nice message. So I’m glad I did that and I just hope he doesn’t hate me too much.”

Raducanu will next be in action on Saturday when she faces second seed Iga Swiatek in a clash between two Grand Slam champions.

Meanwhile, Murray is expected to be in Djokovic’s box for the Serbian’s round three clash against 26th seed Tomas Machac on Friday.

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